David Cloud Berman (David Craig Berman; January 4, 1967 – August 7, 2019) was an American musician, singer, poet and cartoonist. In 1989, he founded the indie rock band Silver Jews with Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich, both of whom would later come to be known primarily for their work in the 1990s American indie rock band Pavement. He was the only constant member during the band's discography, which concluded in 2009, following the band's sixth and final album Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea (2008). He provided the distinct lyricism and, alongside Malkmus, the sparsely simple country-rock sound—which developed from initial lo-fi recordings.
He released his only book of poetry, Actual Air, in 1999. Around this time Berman began to take hard drugs; struggling with substance abuse, depression and anxiety—the latter directly influencing his career decisions. In 2003, these factors culminated in a botched suicide attempt. He then undertook rehab, engaged with Judaism and embarked on the band's first tour with his wife, Cassie Berman.
Although Berman's music and poetry were relatively successful, he experienced financial difficulties. This, along with the dissolution of his marriage, caused his return to music in 2019. He adopted a new band name, Purple Mountains, and released an eponymous debut album in July. He then intended to tour the album and thus pay off his $100,000 credit card debt. He commited suicide in August.
Despite believing his music to be unappreciated, he had acquired a reputation of being "perhaps the finest lyricist of his generation". Berman's lyrics were his creative priority, labouring over them for extended periods of time. They were abstract in nature and had become autobiographical in his later career, sung in a deep and monotone manner.